JP6287757B2 - Airbag device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an airbag apparatus including a horn switch mechanism disposed on an upper surface side of a boss portion near the center of a steering wheel of a vehicle.

  Conventionally, in this type of airbag device, a pad disposed on the upper surface side of the boss portion of the steering wheel, a mounting base for mounting the pad and the folded airbag, a horn switch mechanism, and an outside of the mounting base are provided. And a plurality of switch bodies that are attached near the periphery and for attaching the attachment base to the steering wheel body (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The pad covers the upper part of the folded airbag, and extends in a tubular shape from the ceiling wall part having a door part that is pushed and opened by the airbag when inflated, and from the lower surface of the ceiling wall part around the door part. And a side wall portion that covers the side of the folded airbag, the lower end being coupled to the mounting base. Further, the airbag is held on the mounting base by pressing the peripheral edge on the inner peripheral surface side of the opening for inflow of the inflation gas by an annular retainer that is mounted and fixed to the mounting base. Further, the switch body is arranged on the upper side, the movable side member having a movable side contact and assembled to the mounting seat of the mounting base, and the arrangement arranged on the lower side, the movable side on the upper end side. An assembly pin as a stationary side member that has a fixed side contact corresponding to the contact and protrudes downward from the mounting base to the steering wheel body is provided. Further, the switch body includes a coil spring disposed around the assembly pin as an urging means for urging the mounting base side upward from the assembly pin side, and a movable contact from the fixed contact In order to constitute a restricting means for restricting the separation distance, a flange portion is provided at the upper end of the assembly pin, and the flange portion is locked to the peripheral edge on the upper surface side of the assembly seat.

JP 2012-071716 A

  However, in this airbag apparatus, the switch body is disposed in an area outside the folded airbag in the mounting base, and further, the upper surface side of the movable side member is brought into contact with the lower end surface of the side wall portion of the pad. It was arranged. Therefore, the assembly seat for assembling the switch body in the mounting base is disposed outside the storage area of the airbag, and the side wall portion of the pad also corresponds to the movable side member of the switch body assembled to the assembly seat. In part, it was configured to be thick so as to be placed outside the airbag storage area. As a result, the airbag device itself has been increased in size so as to extend largely outward from the periphery of the inflow opening of the airbag.

  This invention solves the above-mentioned subject, and provides the airbag apparatus provided with the horn switch mechanism which can be mounted compactly seeing from upper direction also as a structure mounted in the boss | hub part upper part of a steering wheel. Objective.

A first airbag device according to the present invention covers a top of a folded airbag and has a ceiling wall portion having a door portion that is opened by being pushed by the airbag when inflated, and around the door portion. A side wall portion extending in a cylindrical shape from the lower surface of the ceiling wall portion and covering the side of the folded airbag, and a pad disposed on the upper surface side of the boss portion of the steering wheel,
The side wall portion is coupled to hold the pad, and an annular retainer that holds the peripheral edge of the inflating gas inflow opening provided on the airbag is fixed to hold the airbag. Mounting base to
While constituting a horn switch mechanism, a plurality of switch bodies attached to an assembly seat near the outer periphery of the attachment base so that the attachment base can be attached to the steering wheel body,
Configured with
The switch body is
As a configuration disposed on the upper side, a movable side member that has a movable side contact and is assembled to an assembly seat of the mounting base;
As a configuration arranged on the lower side, a fixed side member that has a fixed side contact corresponding to the movable side contact on the upper end side, and that attaches a lower end protruding downward from the mounting base to the steering wheel body,
A biasing means for biasing the mounting base side upward from the fixed-side member side;
A regulating means for regulating a separation distance of the movable side contact from the fixed side contact;
An airbag device comprising:
Each of the assembly seats is disposed so as to be recessed downward from a mounting seat for mounting the retainer on the mounting base,
Each of the switch bodies has a configuration in which the movable side member is assembled to the bottom wall portion of the corresponding assembly seat and disposed below the folded airbag in the mounting base .
The movable-side member abuts the portion on the upper surface side on the inflow opening side with the retainer through the periphery of the inflow opening of the airbag and is separated from the inflow opening on the upper surface side. It is characterized in that the side portion is disposed in contact with the lower surface of the side wall portion of the pad.

  In the first airbag device according to the present invention, each switch body is disposed below the folded airbag in the mounting base, so that the mounting seat of the mounting base also corresponds, The airbag is disposed below the folded airbag and is disposed close to the inflow opening of the airbag. Therefore, the mounting base brings the outer peripheral edge closer to the inflow opening of the airbag, so that it can be configured compactly when viewed from above, and accordingly, the side wall of the pad also extends from the inflow opening of the airbag. It can be configured without providing a part that is largely separated, and as a result, the entire airbag device can be configured compactly when viewed from above.

  In addition, when pressing the pad during the operation of the horn switch, the upper surface side of the movable side member presses the portion on the air bag inflow opening side to the retainer fixed to the mounting base to which the side wall of the pad is joined. In addition, since the portion on the side away from the inflow opening is pushed down by the lower surface of the side wall portion of the pad, the movable member can be uniformly moved down on the upper surface side without being inclined. Therefore, even if the mounting base becomes compact, a stable horn stroke can be ensured and a decrease in operation feeling can be prevented.

  Therefore, the first airbag device according to the present invention can be mounted compactly as viewed from above even when the steering wheel is mounted on the boss portion of the steering wheel. A ring can be secured.

In the second airbag device according to the present invention, a ceiling wall portion having a door portion that covers an upper portion of the folded airbag and is opened by being pushed by the airbag when inflated, and a periphery of the door portion. A side wall portion extending in a cylindrical shape from the lower surface of the ceiling wall portion and covering the side of the folded airbag, and a pad disposed on the upper surface side of the boss portion of the steering wheel,
The side wall portion is coupled to hold the pad, and an annular retainer that holds the peripheral edge of the inflating gas inflow opening provided on the airbag is fixed to hold the airbag. Mounting base to
While constituting a horn switch mechanism, a plurality of switch bodies attached to an assembly seat near the outer periphery of the attachment base so that the attachment base can be attached to the steering wheel body,
Configured with
The switch body is
As a configuration disposed on the upper side, a movable side member that has a movable side contact and is assembled to an assembly seat of the mounting base;
As a configuration arranged on the lower side, a fixed side member that has a fixed side contact corresponding to the movable side contact on the upper end side, and that attaches a lower end protruding downward from the mounting base to the steering wheel body,
A biasing means for biasing the mounting base side upward from the fixed-side member side;
A regulating means for regulating a separation distance of the movable side contact from the fixed side contact;
An airbag device comprising:
Each of the assembly seats is disposed so as to be recessed downward from a mounting seat for mounting the retainer on the mounting base,
Each of the plurality of switch bodies is configured to be disposed below the airbag folded in the mounting base by assembling the movable side member to the corresponding bottom wall portion of the assembly seat ,
An inner plate that extends outward from below the retainer so as to abut the substantially entire surface of the upper surface of the movable member of each switch body is shared by the retainer with the peripheral edge of the inflow opening of the airbag. It is fastened and fixed to the mounting base.

  Even in the second airbag device according to the present invention, each switch body is disposed below the folded airbag in the mounting base, so that the mounting seat of the mounting base also corresponds, The airbag is disposed below the folded airbag and is disposed close to the inflow opening of the airbag. Therefore, the mounting base brings the outer peripheral edge closer to the inflow opening of the airbag, so that it can be configured compactly when viewed from above, and accordingly, the side wall of the pad also extends from the inflow opening of the airbag. It can be configured without providing a part that is largely separated, and as a result, the entire airbag device can be configured compactly when viewed from above.

  Further, when pressing the pad at the time of operating the horn switch, the substantially entire surface on the upper surface side of the movable side member is pressed by the inner plate that is fastened together with the peripheral edge of the inflow opening of the airbag by the retainer, The movable member can be moved downward evenly without tilting. Therefore, even if the mounting base becomes compact, a stable horn stroke can be ensured and a decrease in operation feeling can be prevented.

  Therefore, even the second airbag device according to the present invention can be mounted compactly as viewed from above even when it is mounted on the upper portion of the boss portion of the steering wheel, and has a good operation fee when operating the horn switch. A ring can be secured.

  Further, in the first and second airbag apparatuses according to the present invention, the retainer is formed in a substantially square annular shape in which the fixing means fixed to the mounting base are extended downward at the four corners on both the front and rear sides. Then, as the configuration in which three switch bodies are used, the front left and right positions around the inflow opening of the airbag, the rear side in the vicinity of the fixing means on the front side of the retainer, It is desirable that the retainer is disposed on the rear side in the vicinity of the retainer at the center in the left-right direction of the retainer.

  In such a configuration, the switch body can be disposed in the vicinity of the inflow opening of the airbag without interfering with the fixing means at the four corners of the retainer, thereby further reducing the size of the airbag device. Can contribute. In addition, since the switch body is arranged in three radial positions centering on the inflow opening of the airbag, even if the part where the pad is pressed varies from front to back and left and right when operating the horn switch, the switch body is well balanced. The movable contact of any switch body can be brought into contact with the fixed contact, and a good operation feeling can be maintained.

1 is a schematic plan view of a steering wheel equipped with an airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the steering wheel of 1st Embodiment, and respond | corresponds to the II-II site | part of FIG. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the steering wheel of 1st Embodiment, and respond | corresponds to the III-III site | part of FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic longitudinal sectional view in the vicinity of the right switch body of FIG. 3. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the combined state of the pad and attachment base of the airbag apparatus of 1st Embodiment, and respond | corresponds to the VV site | part of FIG. It is a bottom view of the airbag apparatus of a 1st embodiment. It is a bottom view of the pad of a 1st embodiment. It is a side view of the pad of a 1st embodiment. It is a top view of the inner plate of 1st Embodiment. It is a side view of the inner plate of 1st Embodiment. It is a top view of the attachment base of 1st Embodiment. It is a side view of the attachment base of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view along the front-back direction of the airbag apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view along the left-right direction of the airbag apparatus of 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a steering wheel W on which an airbag device 20 of the first embodiment is mounted includes a ring portion R gripped during steering, Steering wheel body 1 having a boss portion B disposed in the center of the ring portion R and a spoke portion S connecting the ring portion R and the boss portion B, and air disposed above the boss portion B And a bag device 20.

  In this specification, the directions of up / down, left / right, and front / rear are based on the straight steering of the vehicle in a state where the steering wheel W is connected to the steering shaft SS (see FIG. 2) of the vehicle with a nut N. The up-down direction corresponds to the up-down direction along the axial direction of the steering shaft SS, the left-right direction corresponds to the left-right direction of the vehicle orthogonal to the steering shaft SS, and the front-rear direction corresponds to the axis of the steering shaft SS. It corresponds to the front-rear direction of the vehicle in the orthogonal direction (see FIG. 1).

  The steering wheel body 1 includes a cored bar 2 disposed so as to interconnect the ring part R, the boss part B, and the spoke part S, and the cored bar of the spoke part S in the vicinity of the ring part R and the ring part R. And a covering layer 7 made of urethane or the like covering the portion 2. A leather 8 is wound around the surface of the covering layer 7. Further, on the inner peripheral side of the front part and the rear part of the ring part R, decorative garnishes 13 and 15 are arranged.

  The core metal 2 is arranged on the ring core metal part 3 disposed on the ring part R, the boss core metal part 4 disposed on the boss part B and connected to the steering shaft SS, and the left and right spoke parts S. The spoke core metal part 5 connects the core metal part 3 and the boss core metal part 4. In the case of the embodiment, the spoke metal core portion 5 is disposed only at the front and right two spoke portions S, and the rear spoke portion S surrounds a pad 50 to be described later. A bezel 14 is provided.

  And the fixing | fixed part 10 which fixes the assembly | attachment pin 84 of each switch body 70 which the airbag apparatus 20 mentions later is arrange | positioned at the periphery of the boss | hub metal core part 4 of the metal core 2 (FIG. 2, 3). reference). The fixing part 10 is disposed on the lower surface side of the boss mandrel 4 and the locking pin 12 that locks the locking head 86 a of the assembly pin 84. Are arranged. The locking pin 12 is formed of a spring material that can be bent along the lower surface of the boss core 4 so as to be restored.

  Further, the steering wheel body 1 is configured by disposing a lower cover 16 on the lower surface side of the boss portion B (see FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the airbag device 20 covers the airbag 45 that inflates by inflating the inflation gas, the inflator 40 that supplies the inflation gas to the airbag 45, and the folded airbag 45. The synthetic resin pad 50 disposed on the upper surface side of the boss B, the airbag 45, the inflator 40, the sheet metal mounting base 21 holding the pad 50, the sheet metal inner plate 31, and the retainer. 42.

  The airbag 45 has an inflow opening 46 that is circular in order to allow the inflating gas to flow into the lower side as a substantially disk-shaped expansion completion shape having a thickness approximate to a sphere, and the periphery of the inflow opening 46. 47 is formed with four through-holes 47a through which the bolts 42b are passed as fixing means for the retainer 42.

  The inflator 40 includes a columnar main body portion 40a provided with a plurality of gas discharge ports 40b for discharging inflation gas at the top, and a rectangular annular flange portion 40c (see FIG. 6) is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 40a. Is protruding. A through-hole 40d through which the bolt 42b of the retainer 42 passes is formed in the flange portion 40c.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 9, the retainer 42 includes a quadrangular annular sheet metal body 42 a, and bolts 42 b (see FIG. 6) projecting downward are projected from the four corners. The retainer 42 is disposed on the peripheral edge 47 of the inflow opening 46 in the airbag 45, and the bolts 42b are connected to the through holes 47a of the airbag 45, the through holes 32b of the inner plate 31, the through holes 22b of the mounting base 21, and the like. The airbag 45, the inner plate 31, and the inflator 40 are attached to the attachment base 21 by sequentially passing through the through holes 40d of the flange portion 40c of the inflator 40 and fastening the nuts 43 to the respective bolts 42b. .

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the pad 50 is made of a synthetic resin such as an olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer and is disposed on the upper surface side of the boss portion B near the center of the steering wheel W. The pad 50 includes a ceiling wall portion 51 that covers the upper portion of the airbag 45 that is folded and housed inside the boss portion B, and extends in a substantially cylindrical shape from the lower surface of the ceiling wall portion 51, before and after the folded airbag 45. And side wall portions 60 that cover the left and right sides (outer peripheral side).

  The ceiling wall 51 is provided with a disk-like door 52 that is pushed by the inflating airbag 45 and opens forward. The door portion 52 is configured by providing a hinge portion 53 on the front edge side, and providing a thin portion to be broken 54 having a substantially arc shape when viewed from above.

  In the case of the embodiment, a substantially disc-shaped ornament 56 made of synthetic resin is fixed to the upper surface side of the door portion 52. As shown in FIG. 4, the outer peripheral edge 56 a of the ornament 56 includes an inner part 56 ai on the door part 52 side and an outer part 56 ao arranged on the opening peripheral part 55 side that does not open in the vicinity of the planned breaking part 54. The shape is slightly larger than the planned break portion 54 so as to be disposed. Incidentally, when the door part 52 opens, the ornament 56 rotates integrally with the door part 52, and the outer side part 56ao of the outer peripheral edge 56a is detached from the opening peripheral part 55.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 8, the side wall portion 60 of the pad 50 has locking leg portions 61 coupled to the holding seat 24 (24 </ b> F) on the front edge side of the mounting base 21 at two locations on the left and right sides on the front edge side. In addition, two locking leg portions 62 are arranged on the left and right sides of the rear edge. The locking legs 62 are coupled to the holding seats 24 (24BL, 24BR) disposed on the left and right sides on the rear edge side of the mounting base 21. And each latching leg part 61 and 62 is the vertical plate part 61a, 62a extended below from the ceiling wall part 51, and the locking head part 61b, 62b which protrudes outside at the lower end of the vertical plate part 61a, 62a. , And is configured. In each of the locking legs 61 and 62, the vertical plate portions 61a and 62a pass through the locking holes 22c of the holding seats 24F, 24BL and 24BR in the mounting base 21, respectively, and the locking heads 61b and 62b are engaged. By being locked to the lower surface 24a at the peripheral edge of the stop hole 22c (see FIG. 5), the retaining seats 24F, 24BL, and 24BR are locked while being prevented from coming out upward.

  Further, the side wall portion 60 includes, as a pressing wall portion 64, between the locking leg portions 62 that are separated to the left and right on the rear side, and between the locking leg portions 61 and 62 that are separated on the left and right sides. These lower end surfaces 64a are configured to abut on the upper surface 21b (22f) of the outer peripheral edge 21a (22e) of the mounting base 21 through the outer peripheral edge 34 of the inner plate 31 (see FIGS. 9 and 11). ).

  The pad 50 is prevented from the locking leg portions 61 and 62 from being pulled upward from the holding seat 24, and the lower end surface 64 a of the pressing wall portion 64 is interposed between the inner plate 31 and the mounting base 21. Since it is brought into contact with the upper surface 22f, it is coupled to the mounting base 21 without moving up and down or moving back and forth and left and right. The tongue pieces 22d of the respective holding seats 24 (24F, 24BL, 24BR) are designed to increase the opening area of the locking holes 22c before the locking leg portions 61, 62 are inserted into the locking holes 22c. Are bent downward (see FIG. 12), and after insertion of the locking legs 61, 62, the locking heads 61b, 62b are locked to the lower surface 24a of the peripheral edge of the locking hole 22c. Each tongue piece portion 22d is restored to bend in order to push the vertical plate portions 61a and 62a outward (bent upward so as to be continuous with the periphery).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, 6, 11, and 12, the mounting base 21 holds the airbag 45, the inflator 40, and the pad 50, and further uses the switch body 70, The airbag device 20 is configured as a sheet metal member for attaching the airbag device 20 to the steering wheel body 1 side. The mounting base 21 includes a substantially annular base plate portion 22 and vertical plate portions 28 and 29 protruding upward from the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge 22e of the base plate portion 22.

  The base plate portion 22 is provided with holding seats 24F provided with two locking holes 22c for locking the locking leg portions 61 and 61 of the pad 50 on the left and right sides on the front edge side, and the left and right sides on the rear edge side. In addition, two holding seats 24BL and 24BR provided with two locking holes 22c for locking the locking legs 62 of the pad 50 are provided. As described above, after the locking holes 22c and the locking leg portions 61 and 62 are inserted into the holding seats 24 (24F, 24BL, and 24BR), the locking head portions 61b and 62b are locked. Thus, a tongue piece 22d for restoring bending is provided.

  In addition, a substantially circular insertion hole 22a into which the main body 40a of the inflator 40 can be inserted from below corresponds to the inflow opening 46 of the airbag 45 at the center of the base plate portion 22. Four through holes 22b through which the respective bolts 42b of the retainer 42 are passed are formed on the periphery. The part provided with the through hole 22b at the periphery of the insertion hole 22a serves as a mounting seat 23 for mounting the airbag 45, the inflator 40, and the inner plate 31 using the retainer 42.

  The assembling seat 25 for assembling each switch body 70 is located between the holding seats 24BL and 24BR which are separated from each other at the center in the left-right direction on the rear edge side of the base plate portion 22, in other words, on the left and right sides of the base plate portion 22. Between the holding seats 24F and 24BL and between the holding seats 24F and 24BR on the right front edge side of the base plate portion 22. Each assembly seat 25 is arranged so as to be recessed downward from the mounting seat 23. That is, each assembly seat 25 includes a half-cylindrical peripheral wall portion 26 that extends downward from the attachment seat 23, and a substantially rectangular plate-shaped bottom wall portion that is disposed in parallel to the attachment seat 23 at the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 26. 27. The peripheral wall portion 26 is not disposed on the outer peripheral edge 22e side of the base plate portion 22, but has a half-divided substantially square cylindrical shape.

  The bottom wall portion 27 of each assembly seat 25 is provided with an insertion hole 27a that is opened in a circular shape at the center, and locking holes 27b that are arranged at two points symmetrically around the insertion hole 27a. It is installed. A shaft portion 86 of an assembly pin 84 as a fixed side member in each switch body 70 is inserted into the insertion hole 27a with insulating spacers 78 and 79 having insulation properties and a spring seat 80 interposed therebetween. Yes. The pair of locking holes 27b around the insertion hole 27a are configured to lock the locking portion 71b of the movable side member 71 of the switch body 70 by cutting and raising the peripheral edge 27c on the insertion hole 27a side (FIG. 5). reference).

  The vertical plate portion 28 protrudes upward from three locations between the mounting seats 25 on the outer peripheral edge 22 e of the base plate portion 22, and the vertical plate portion 29 extends from the left and right mounting seats 25 on the front side. It protrudes from the outer edge of the bottom wall portion 27 so as to extend upward.

  Each assembly seat 25 has a circular area connecting each holding seat 24 for holding the pad 50 of the mounting base 21 around the insertion hole 22a (inflow opening 46), that is, a folded airbag 45. Is disposed in an area covered by the ceiling wall portion 51 and the side wall portion 60 of the pad 50 above the mounting base 21, in other words, an area below the folded airbag 45.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, 9, and 10, the inner plate 31 includes a substantially annular ring plate portion 32 and a restriction wall portion 38 that extends upward from three locations of the outer peripheral edge 34 of the ring plate portion 32. It is prepared for. The ring plate portion 32 has, in the center, a circular insertion hole 32a into which the main body portion 40a of the inflator 40 can be inserted from below, corresponding to the inflow opening 46 of the airbag 45 and the insertion hole 22a of the mounting base 21. In addition, four through holes 32b through which the respective bolts 42b of the retainer 42 are penetrated are formed at the periphery of the insertion hole 32a.

  The inner peripheral edge 33 of the ring plate portion 32 is used for inflow of the airbag 45 such that the upper surface 33a is applied to the peripheral edge 47 of the inflow opening 46 of the airbag 45 and the lower surface 33b is applied to the mounting seat 23 of the mounting base 21. It is arranged between the peripheral edge 47 of the opening 46 and the mounting seat 23 below the opening 46. When the retainer 42 is fastened to the mounting seat 23, it is attached to the mounting seat 23 of the mounting base 21 together with the peripheral edge 47 of the inflow opening 46. It is tightened together.

  Further, the ring plate portion 32 is formed in a substantially annular flat plate shape, and corresponds to each assembly seat 25 of the mounting base 21 and covers the upper portion of each assembly seat 25 on the outer peripheral edge 34 side. 35 is disposed. And the cover part 35 is comprised so that the upper surface 71a of the movable side member 71 which the switch body 70 mentions later may contact | abut the lower surface 35b, and also the lower surface 64a of the pressing wall part 64 of the pad 50 is used for the upper surface 35a. Are configured to contact each other. The locking legs 36, 62 of the side wall 60 of the pad 50 locked in the locking hole 22c of the mounting base 21 are inserted into the recessed portion 36 between the cover portions 35 of the outer peripheral edge 34. (See FIG. 9).

  In the case of the first embodiment, the cover portion 35 is arranged so as to abut the substantially entire surface of the upper surface 71a of the movable side member 71 beyond at least the upper area of a coil spring 89 as an urging means described later. It is installed.

  The restricting wall portion 38 protrudes upward from the outer edge of each cover portion 35, is disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the pressing wall portion 64 of the pad 50, and is a pressing wall that is pressed when the airbag 45 is inflated. The deformation of the portion 64 is prevented.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, each switch body 70 constituting the horn switch mechanism (horn switch) 69 is disposed on the lower side and a movable side member 71 having a movable side contact 77 disposed on the upper side. And a regulating means for regulating the separation distance (corresponding to the horn stroke) of the movable side contact 77 from the fixed side contact 87, the fixed side member 82 having the fixed side contact 87, the coil spring 89 constituting the biasing means. 88.

  The movable member 71 includes a synthetic resin cap 72 having insulating properties, a movable contact member 76 having a movable contact 77, insulating spacers 78 and 79, and a spring seat 80. Yes. The cap 72 includes a substantially circular top plate portion 73 and a substantially cylindrical tube portion 74 that extends downward from the periphery of the top plate portion 73. The cap 72 is in contact with the lower surface 35 b of the cover portion 35 of the inner plate 31 with the upper surface being the upper surface 71 a of the movable member 71 in each assembly seat 25, and the lower end of the cylindrical portion 74 is the bottom of the assembly seat 25. It extends to the vicinity of the wall 27.

  In other words, the depth of the recess from the mounting seat 23 in the bottom wall portion 27 of each assembly seat 25 of the mounting base 21 corresponds to the height of the cap 72 so that the cap 72 of the movable side member 71 can be stored. ing.

  Further, the movable contact member 76 is formed of a conductive material such as a copper plate, and is supported by a horizontal saddle portion 76a supported by a support seat 73a on the lower surface side of the top plate portion 73 of the cap 72, and from both left and right ends of the horizontal flange portion 76a. A vertical hook portion 76b extending downward, and the lower end of the vertical hook portion 76b is fitted into the protrusion 74b on the inner peripheral surface of the lower end of the cylindrical portion 74 of the cap 72, together with the protrusion 74b, A locking portion 71b of the movable side member 71 is formed (see FIG. 5). As described above, the locking portion 71b becomes a portion locked to the peripheral edge 27c of the locking hole 27b of each mounting seat 25 of the mounting base 21, and the movable side member 71 is mounted to the mounting seat 25. It becomes a part.

  A plurality of movable contact points 77 projecting downward are disposed on the lateral flange portion 76 a of the movable contact member 76.

  The spring seat 80 has a cylindrical shape with a step, and has a large-diameter portion 80a for guiding the vertical movement of the flange portion 85 on the upper end side of the assembly pin 84, and a coil spring 89 fitted on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 86. A small-diameter portion 80b that comes into contact with the upper end. The spring seat 80 has a large-diameter portion 80 a disposed in the cap 72 and has an upper end abutted against the top plate portion 73.

  The insulating spacer 78 is locked to the lower end of the cylindrical portion 74 on the inner peripheral side of the cap 72, and the insulating spacer 79 is between the upper end of the small diameter portion 80 b of the spring seat 80 and the insulating spacer 78. The urging force is configured to smoothly act on the mounting base 21 side through the large-diameter portion 80a of the spring seat 80, the top plate portion 73 of the cap 72, and the cover portion 35 of the inner plate 31. Has been.

  Incidentally, in the case of the first embodiment, the flange portion 85 also serving as the fixed side contact 87 of the assembly pin 84 receives the biasing force of the coil spring 80, and the upper end of the top plate portion 73 provided with the movable side contact 77 is placed on the upper end. The distance between the movable side contact 77 and the fixed side contact 87 is restricted by contacting the stepped surface 80c of the large diameter portion 80a of the spring receiving seat 80 that is in contact with the movable side contact 77 and the fixed side contact 87. The regulating means 88 that regulates the separation distance is composed of a large diameter portion 80 a having a step surface 80 c of the spring seat 80 and a flange portion 85.

  The fixed-side member 82 includes a substantially cylindrical cover 83 made of synthetic resin and an assembly pin 84. The assembly pin 84 is formed of a metal material having conductivity such as steel, extends in the vertical direction, and protrudes downward from the insertion hole 27a of the assembly seat 25, and the upper end side of the shaft portion 86. And a disc-shaped flange 85 that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the shaft 86 larger than the diameter dimension of the insertion hole 27a and is engaged with the stepped surface 80c of the large-diameter portion 80a of the spring seat 80. It is configured. A locking recess 86b is provided in the circumferential direction at the lower end of the shaft portion 86, and a tapered truncated cone-shaped locking head 86a is formed on the distal end side of the locking recess 86b.

  The cover 83 has a configuration in which the distal end side is fitted into the locking recess 86b and the lower end of the coil spring 89 is supported at the upper end.

  In this fixed side member 82, the locking head portion 86 a of the assembly pin 84 is inserted into the locking hole 11 of the predetermined fixing portion 10 of the steering wheel main body 1 and is inserted into the locking recess 86 b of the assembly pin 84. If the locking pin 12 is bent and arranged, the assembly pin 84 is fixed with respect to the fixing portion 10 while the movement in the vertical direction is restricted. Since the cover 83 is inserted into the locking hole 11, abnormal noise can be prevented and the assembly pin 84 and the lower end side of the coil spring 89 can be attached and fixed to the fixing portion 10 side.

  Further, if the lower end side of the coil spring 89 is fixed to the fixing portion 10 of the steering wheel body 1, the large diameter portion 80 a of the spring receiving seat 80, the top plate portion 73 of the cap 72, and the cover portion 35 of the inner plate 31. The mounting base 21 side can be urged upward away from the fixed side member 82 side. The fixed-side contact 87 formed of the flange portion 85 includes the large-diameter portion 80a constituting the restricting means 88 and the flange portion 85 pressed against the stepped surface 80c of the large-diameter portion 80a by the biasing force of the coil spring 89. And a predetermined separation distance is secured between the movable side contact 77 disposed on the lower surface of the top plate portion 73.

  In addition, if the assembly-side pin 84 is fixed to the fixed portion 10, the fixed-side contact 87 interposes the locking pin 12, and the assembly pin 84 comes into contact with the core metal 2, so that the horn operating circuit The movable side contact 77 is in contact with the periphery of the locking hole 27b in the mounting base 21 in which the movable side contact member 76 is connected to a lead wire (not shown) that is connected to the positive side of the horn operating circuit. Therefore, the horn operating circuit is electrically connected to the negative electrode side and the positive electrode side, respectively.

  In the airbag device 20 of the first embodiment, at the time of assembly, first, with each bolt 42b protruding from the through hole 47a, the retainer 42 is put inside the airbag 45, and the airbag 45 is folded and folded. Wrap with a wrapping material (not shown) to prevent collapse. In addition, the assembled switch body 70 is assembled in advance to each assembly seat 25 of the mounting base 21 by engaging the engaging portion 71b with the periphery of the engaging hole 27b.

  Then, the bolts 42b are passed through the through holes 32b of the inner plate 31, the through holes 22b of the mounting base 21, and the through holes 40d of the inflator 40, and the nuts 43 are fastened to the bolts 42b. Further, the airbag 45, the inner plate 31, and the inflator 40 are attached.

  Further, the locking head portions 61 b and 62 b of the locking leg portions 61 and 62 are disposed on the mounting base 21 while the regulating wall portion 38 of the inner plate 31 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the pressing wall portion 64 of the pad 50. The tongue piece 22d is returned to be bent so that the locking heads 61b and 62b are locked to the lower surface 24a of the peripheral edge of the locking hole 22c. At this time, the lower end surface 64 a of the pressing wall portion 64 of the side wall portion 60 of the pad 50 comes into contact with the upper surface 35 a on the outer edge side of the cover portion 35 of the inner plate 31. Therefore, the side wall portion 60 is restricted from moving downward with respect to the mounting base 21 with the inner plate 31 interposed, and is fixed by locking the locking heads 61b and 62b to the periphery of the locking hole 22c. Since the upward movement of the base 21 is restricted, the pad 50 is coupled to the mounting base 21 and the assembly of the airbag apparatus M is completed.

  The air bag apparatus M is mounted on the vehicle by engaging the locking heads 86a of the mounting pins 84 of the switch bodies 70 in the locking holes 11 of the fixing portions 10 of the steering wheel body 1 already assembled to the steering shaft SS. Is inserted and the locking pin 12 is fitted in the locking recess 86b, the airbag device M can be attached to the steering wheel body 1, and the assembly of the steering wheel W is completed. Can be mounted on a vehicle together with the airbag apparatus M.

  When the airbag apparatus M is attached to the steering wheel body 1, the lead wire (not shown) of the mounting base 21 is connected to the positive side of the horn switch operating circuit, and the inflator 40 is not shown for inputting an operation signal. Lead wires will be connected.

  If the operation signal is input to the inflator 40 after being mounted on the vehicle, the inflator 40 causes the inflation gas to be discharged from the gas discharge port 40b. Therefore, the folded airbag 45 causes the inflation gas to flow in. Expanding, pushing and opening the door portion 52 of the ceiling wall portion 51 of the pad 50, projecting from the opening of the door portion 52, and expanding and expanding so as to cover the upper surface of the ring portion R from above the boss portion B; (See the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1).

  Further, when the pad 50 is depressed so as to operate the horn switch 69 during normal use when the inflator 40 is not operated, the cover portion 35 of the inner plate 31 that contacts the lower end surface 64a of the pressing wall portion 64 The top plate portion 73 of the movable side member 71 of the switch body 70 having the upper surface 71a in contact with the lower surface 35b of the cover portion 35 and the movable side contact 77 supported on the lower surface side of the top plate portion 73 are lowered. Then, since the movable side contact 77 comes into contact with the fixed side contact 87, the horn operating circuit is turned on and a predetermined horn is operated.

  And in the airbag apparatus M of 1st Embodiment, each switch body 70 is the pad 50 which surrounds the circumference | surroundings of the folded-down airbag 45 in the lower part of the folded-up airbag 45 in the attachment base 21, respectively. Since each of the mounting seats 25 of the mounting base 21 to which the switch body 70 is assembled is also disposed below the folded airbag 45, and The air bag 45 is disposed close to the inflow opening 46. Therefore, the mounting base 21 brings the outer peripheral edge 21a (22e) closer to the inflow opening 46 of the airbag 45, so that the mounting base 21 can be configured compactly when viewed from above. In addition, the air bag 45 can be configured without providing a portion that is far away from the inflow opening 46, and as a result, the entire air bag device 20 can be configured compactly when viewed from above.

  Further, when the pad 50 is pressed during the operation of the horn switch 69, an inner plate in which the substantially entire surface on the upper surface 71a side of the movable member 71 is fastened together with the peripheral edge 47 of the inflow opening 46 of the airbag 45 by the retainer 42. Since it is pressed by 31, the movable side member 71 can be uniformly moved down on the upper surface 71a side without being inclined. Therefore, even if the mounting base 21 becomes compact, a stable horn stroke can be ensured and a decrease in operation feeling can be prevented.

  Therefore, even if the airbag device 20 of the first embodiment is configured to be mounted on the upper portion of the boss portion B of the steering wheel W, the airbag device 20 can be mounted compactly when viewed from above, and is favorable when the horn switch 69 is operated. Operation feeling can be secured.

  Moreover, in the airbag apparatus 20 of 1st Embodiment, the retainer 42 is formed in the substantially square annular shape which extended the volt | bolt 42b as a fixing means fixed to the attachment base 21 below at the four corners of the right and left both sides. Yes. In the configuration in which three switch bodies 70 are used, the switch bodies 70L and 70R are located on the left and right positions on the front side around the inflow opening 46 of the airbag 45, and the bolts 42b on the front side of the retainer 42 The switch body 70B is disposed on the rear side in the vicinity of the retainer 42 at the center in the left-right direction of the retainer 42 (see FIG. 9).

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, the switch body 70 (70L, 70R, 70B) is arranged in the vicinity of the inflow opening 46 of the airbag 45 without interfering with the bolts 42b at the four corners of the retainer 42. Thus, the airbag device 20 can be further reduced in size. Further, since the switch body 70 is arranged in three radial positions with the inflow opening 46 of the airbag 45 as the center, when the horn switch 69 is operated, the part where the pad 50 is pressed down is front, rear, left and right. Even if it varies, the movable contact 77 of any one of the switch bodies 70 can be brought into contact with the fixed contact 87, and a good operation feeling can be maintained.

  In the airbag device 20 of the first embodiment, the case where the inner plate 31 is provided is shown. However, unlike the airbag device 20A of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the inner plate 31 is not used. Also good.

  In the airbag device 20A, the mounting base 21A is arranged so that the respective mounting seats 25A are recessed downward from the mounting seats 23 as in the first embodiment, and the switch body is assembled to the mounting seat 25A. 70 is disposed in an area below the folded airbag 45. However, in the second embodiment, without using the inner plate 31, the switch body 70 assembled to each assembly seat 25 </ b> A replaces the portion 71 ai on the inflow opening 46 side on the upper surface 71 a side with the peripheral edge of the inflow opening 46. 47, and a portion 71ao on the side of the upper surface 71a away from the inflow opening 46 on the lower surface 42ab of the retainer 42 is placed on the lower surface of the pressing wall portion 64A on the side wall portion 60 of the pad 50A. It is arranged so as to be in contact with the lower end surface 64a.

  In the airbag device 20A of the second embodiment, the mounting base 21A and the mounting base 21A are different only in the arrangement positions of the mounting seat 25A of the mounting base 21A and the pressing wall portion 64A of the pad 50A. Other parts of the pad 50A, or other parts of the inflator 40, the retainer 42, the airbag 45, and the switch body 70 are the same as those in the first embodiment. The same reference numerals as those of the embodiment are attached and the description is omitted.

  Further, as in the first embodiment, the airbag 45 and the inflator 40 are fixed to the mounting base 21A by passing the bolt 42b of the retainer 42 through the predetermined through holes 47a, 22b, and 40d and fastening the nut 43. Has been. Further, the pad 50A has predetermined locking legs 61 and 62 (not shown) of the side wall 60 extending downward from the lower surface around the door 52 in the ceiling wall 51, and corresponding locking holes (not shown) of the mounting base 21A. The lower end surface 64a of the pressing wall portion 64A is brought into contact with the upper surface 21b of the mounting base 21A around the assembling seat 25. Thus, the vertical movement of the pad 50A is restricted and fixed to the mounting base 21A. Similarly to the first embodiment, the switch body 70 has a locking portion 71b of the movable side member 71 locked in a locking hole 27b (not shown), and has a radial shape centering on the inflow opening 46 of the airbag 45. It is assembled | attached to each assembly seat 25A arrange | positioned at three places of this position. Furthermore, the airbag device 20A of the second embodiment, like the first embodiment, inserts and locks the assembly pin 84 of each switch body 70 to the corresponding fixed portion 10 of the steering wheel body 1, It is configured to be mounted on the steering wheel W.

  Also in the airbag device 20A of the second embodiment, each switch body 70 is disposed below the folded airbag 45 in the mounting base 21A, so that the assembly seat 25A of the mounting base 21A is also Correspondingly, the air bag 45 is disposed below the folded airbag 45 and is disposed close to the inflow opening 46 of the air bag 45. Therefore, the mounting base 21A brings the outer peripheral edge 21a closer to the inflow opening 46 of the airbag 45, so that the mounting base 21A can be configured compactly when viewed from above. The bag 45 can be configured without providing a portion that is far away from the inflow opening 46, and as a result, the airbag device 20A can be configured compactly when viewed from above.

  When pressing the pad 50 when operating the horn switch 69, the upper surface 71a side of the movable side member 71 is joined to the portion 71ai on the inflow opening 46 side of the airbag 45 and the side wall portion 60 of the pad 50A. Since the retainer 42 fixed to the mounting base 21A is pushed down and the portion 71ao on the side away from the inflow opening 46 is pushed down by the lower surface 64a of the side wall 60 of the pad 50A, the movable side member 71 However, the upper surface 71a side can be evenly moved downward without inclining. Therefore, even if the mounting base 21A becomes compact, it is possible to secure a stable horn stroke, prevent a decrease in operation feeling, and obtain the same actions and effects as in the first embodiment.

  In the first embodiment, one inner plate 31 is formed on substantially the entire upper surface 71a of all the switch bodies 70, in other words, on almost the entire surface beyond the upper side of the coil spring 89 as the biasing means. Since it is the structure which contact | abuts, the state in which each movable side contact 77 contacts the fixed side contact 87 can be stabilized between switch bodies 70 mutually.

  In the first and second embodiments, three switch bodies 70 are arranged. However, the switch bodies 70 are arranged at four locations in the vicinity of the retainer 42 on the front, rear, left and right sides of the square annular retainer 42. You may comprise as follows.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Steering wheel main body, 20 and 20A ... Airbag apparatus, 21 and 21A ... Mounting base, 21a ... Outer periphery, 25, 25A ... Assembly seat, 31 ... Inner plate, 34 ... Outer periphery, 40 ... Inflator, 42 ... Retainer, 42ab ... lower surface, 42b (fixing means) bolt, 45 ... air bag, 46 ... inflow opening, 50, 50A ... pad, 51 ... ceiling wall part, 52 ... door part, 60 ... side wall part, 64, 64A ... Pressing wall portion, 64a ... (lower surface) lower end surface, 69 ... horn switch mechanism, 70 (70L, 70R, 70B) ... switch body, 71 ... movable side member, 71a ... upper surface, 71ai ... (retainer side) site, 71ao ... (pressing wall side) site, 77 ... movable side contact, 82 ... fixed side member, 87 ... fixed side contact, 88 ... regulating means, 89 ... (biasing means) coil spring,
B ... Boss part, W ... Steering wheel.

Claims (3)

Covers the upper part of the folded airbag and has a ceiling wall portion having a door portion which is pushed by the airbag when inflated and opens, and extends in a cylindrical shape from the lower surface of the ceiling wall portion around the door portion. A side wall portion covering the side of the folded airbag, and a pad disposed on the upper surface side of the boss portion of the steering wheel,
The side wall portion is coupled to hold the pad, and an annular retainer that holds the peripheral edge of the inflating gas inflow opening provided on the airbag is fixed to hold the airbag. Mounting base to
While constituting a horn switch mechanism, a plurality of switch bodies attached to an assembly seat near the outer periphery of the attachment base so that the attachment base can be attached to the steering wheel body,
Configured with
The switch body is
As a configuration disposed on the upper side, a movable side member that has a movable side contact and is assembled to an assembly seat of the mounting base;
As a configuration arranged on the lower side, a fixed side member that has a fixed side contact corresponding to the movable side contact on the upper end side, and that attaches a lower end protruding downward from the mounting base to the steering wheel body,
A biasing means for biasing the mounting base side upward from the fixed-side member side;
A regulating means for regulating a separation distance of the movable side contact from the fixed side contact;
An airbag device comprising:
Each of the assembly seats is disposed so as to be recessed downward from a mounting seat for mounting the retainer on the mounting base,
Each of the switch bodies has a configuration in which the movable side member is assembled to the bottom wall portion of the corresponding assembly seat and disposed below the folded airbag in the mounting base .
The movable-side member abuts the portion on the upper surface side on the inflow opening side with the retainer through the periphery of the inflow opening of the airbag and is separated from the inflow opening on the upper surface side. The airbag apparatus is arranged such that a portion on the side is in contact with the lower surface of the side wall portion of the pad. Covers the upper part of the folded airbag and has a ceiling wall portion having a door portion which is pushed by the airbag when inflated and opens, and extends in a cylindrical shape from the lower surface of the ceiling wall portion around the door portion. A side wall portion covering the side of the folded airbag, and a pad disposed on the upper surface side of the boss portion of the steering wheel,
The side wall portion is coupled to hold the pad, and an annular retainer that holds the peripheral edge of the inflating gas inflow opening provided on the airbag is fixed to hold the airbag. Mounting base to
While constituting a horn switch mechanism, a plurality of switch bodies attached to an assembly seat near the outer periphery of the attachment base so that the attachment base can be attached to the steering wheel body,
Configured with
The switch body is
As a configuration disposed on the upper side, a movable side member that has a movable side contact and is assembled to an assembly seat of the mounting base;
As a configuration arranged on the lower side, a fixed side member that has a fixed side contact corresponding to the movable side contact on the upper end side, and that attaches a lower end protruding downward from the mounting base to the steering wheel body,
A biasing means for biasing the mounting base side upward from the fixed-side member side;
A regulating means for regulating a separation distance of the movable side contact from the fixed side contact;
An airbag device comprising:
Each of the assembly seats is disposed so as to be recessed downward from a mounting seat for mounting the retainer on the mounting base,
Each of the plurality of switch bodies is configured to be disposed below the airbag folded in the mounting base by assembling the movable side member to the corresponding bottom wall portion of the assembly seat ,
An inner plate that extends outward from below the retainer so as to abut the substantially entire surface of the upper surface of the movable member of each switch body is shared by the retainer with the peripheral edge of the inflow opening of the airbag. The airbag device is fastened and fixed to the mounting base. The retainer is formed in a substantially square annular shape extending downwardly at the four corners on both the left and right sides of the front and rear, fixing means fixed to the mounting base,
As a configuration in which three switch bodies are used,
The front left and right positions around the inflow opening of the airbag, the rear side in the vicinity of the fixing means on the front side of the retainer,
A rear side in the vicinity of the retainer at the center in the left-right direction of the retainer;
The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the airbag device is disposed on the airbag device.

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